Sad news. Plus, gardening news.
LINCOLN PARK NEWSLETTER — A regular with his dog, Venus, at Lincoln Park, Greg was found dead in his home this month. Services this Friday at Fort Lincoln Cemetery. PLUS: PLANT SALES ARE HERE.
Venus (left), Greg with Zoe the pocket dog. (Photo by Sarah Cochran.)
Greg Blackett Jr.
Greg Blackett, a computer technology specialist who was part of the regular morning gang at Lincoln Park, died on April 8. A mostly quiet gentleman at the park, Greg occasionally would join the banter with insights from his favorite news podcasts or late night comedians. He was less outspoken than his demanding and prickly dog, Venus.
He was 51. He died of natural causes.
Greg was the sole owner of O.S. Solutions, a firm that for two decades provided Washington and the surrounding area with information technology services, web development, salesforce and database administration.
Greg went to Largo High School and attended the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and received a dual bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Science and Business Administration in 2003.
He previously worked at Wiley Rein law firm before going into business for himself.
In high school, Greg won many trophies playing basketball. He loved golf and playing video games and always had a "joke of the day."
Greg also talked about the daily morning park meetings and how much he enjoyed being with everyone (calling Mary Farran, Miss Mary). Several years ago, one morning he met James Grimaldi, who invited him to get a treat for his beloved dog Venus. But there was some resistance.
Peter and Sarah also noticed Greg standing around near the Lincoln statue most days. “When leaving the park, we would stop to try to talk to the dog, but she would not come close to us. Greg said that she was shy,” Peter and Sarah wrote.
“Greg would patiently wait there with her, day after day. After a couple of weeks of stopping and sitting on the stairs, Venus would come within about 10 feet of us,” Sarah said. “After a few more weeks, she would come within about 5 feet of us. Greg continued to wait with her patiently. After a month or two, Venus would come within patting distance, and then would go down the stairs, but not all the way to the Mary bench.”
Eventually, Venus, and Greg, came over to the bench, but it took a long time and much patience on Greg’s part. Venus became part of the pack, the “enforcer” at the bench. “I will always remember his patience and willingness to wait for Venus to join the group at her own pace, although standing near, but beyond the social circle must have been tough for him,” Sarah said.
Greg was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on Jan. 26, 1974.
He is survived by his mother, Vernika Torain, his father Gregory Blackett, Sr, his younger brother, Vonez Blackett, (retired Chief of the Navy) and his baby sister, Jocelyn Torain. And, of course, his beloved dog, Venus.
Services for Greg will be at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, Maryland 20722, 301-864-5090.
FRANCISCAN MONASTERY PLANT SALE: HERBS, VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, SHRUBS, TREES
APRIL 26-27, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
The popular Franciscan Monastery Herb and Plant Sale is here! Come early for organic herbs, annuals, perennials, fruit trees, vegetables and Monastery-grown plants, while enjoying food and craft vendors. Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free garden tours at 11 a.m. and noon. Sponsored by the volunteer Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild. Proceeds support the preservation of the monastery’s historic gardens.
Other Activities
Food and craft vendors
Tours of the historic gardens of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land — and a peek at our urban garden and historic greenhouse
And learn about volunteering with our farm-fresh food donation program and garden tours.
Logistics
Free parking at 14th and Quincy Streets, NE, across from the entrance.
Please no dogs inside the Monastery gates during sale weekend. We love them, but cannot accommodate them within the space during the sale.
Cash and credit accepted.
Want to volunteer?
This is an all-volunteer event. If you are interested in helping set up, work the sale or breakdown, email Joe Bozik, gardenguild@gmail.com, as soon as possible.
The annual NATIONAL ARBORETUM Garden Fair & Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26th from 9 AM to 4 PM (rain date Sunday, April 27th). Shop from thousands of plants, get expert gardening advice, browse 25+ local vendors, and enjoy free family activities.
9 AM – 11 AM: Members-only hours for the Plant Sale tent. Donate any amount to become a FONA member and get early access.
9 AM – 4 PM: Vendor Village open to the public.
11 AM – 3 PM: Free family-friendly activities offered by DC Child Care Connections.
11 AM – 4 PM: Plant Sale tent open to the public.
Important event reminders:
All visitors must park at either the R Street parking lot near the Visitor Center or the Grove parking lot. Parking is free.
A free shuttle service will be available between the parking lots and the event, which will be held in the New York Avenue parking lot. Shuttles will run from 7 AM to 5:30 PM.
Dogs are not allowed in the Plant Sale tent, but are allowed on leash in the Vendor Village. Bringing your dog is not recommended since the event can get very crowded.
Register to let FONA know you’re coming and to receive important event-related updates.
BROKEN BENCH IN LINCOLN PARK
Here’s the urn map
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1VAZgfCet1HjsOZBS8_WRa9vYzJILYqlRLcaXCnOL7Lw/edit?usp=sharing
The Fine Print
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Through consultation with NPS, PLANTS volunteers will purchase and install plants, which will also include aromatics.
The Lincoln Park Newsletter is parody, opinion and news serving the area sort of around Lincoln Park.